THERE were exemplary times when the national police resorted to creative measures to handle protest actions.
Remember when riot policemen used Katy Perry songs to drown out the protest speeches to the chagrin of demonstrators? It happened in November 2015 when police forces keeping the peace during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in Manila decided to play on giant speakers Perry’s song titled “Roar.” Some demonstrators got mad because the police used pop music to drown their voices, but others were amused. Somehow, the tension no longer escalated.
There was also the case during the State of the Nation Address (Sona) by President Rodrigo Duterte last July 25 when protesters were invited to get near the House of Representatives. It was the first time for the demonstrators who used to clash with police on the streets on that occasion. It was also the first time for the police to feel relaxed during Sona day.
These were two instances when we could proudly say violent dispersals of mass actions have come to an end in our country. Negotiations or dialog and a bit of wit saved a lot of people a lot of trouble. Until that incident last Wednesday when a police van was caught on video running over protesters at the height of a violent dispersal outside the United States Embassy in Manila. At least 20 demonstrators were injured.
Several policemen were immediately relieved of their duties and told to face an investigation.
Video reports showed the demonstrators becoming unruly when riot policemen tried to block their way to the embassy. It was not unusual for the two parties to clash using sticks, stones, hoses, shields and batons. This was the first time a police van was used as a weapon to disperse a crowd.
The Philippine National Police operational procedures manual says the police must respect the human rights of all people, including demonstrators, and must exercise maximum tolerance in dispersal operations. Violators of the law shall be apprehended and brought to the nearest police station for processing.
The manual also lists what can be used during dispersals. It says, “Tear gas, smoke grenades, water cannons, or any similar anti-riot device shall be used only when the public assembly is attended by actual violence or serious threats of violence, or deliberate destruction of property.” There is no mention of a police van to be used to control a crowd.
The police hierarchy must be decisive in resolving grievances of demonstrators and must take measures to remind personnel of the proper ways of handling a public assembly. It is not enough to remove the policemen from their posts. Charges would have to be filed and pursued then make the police personnel answer for their actions.
Trainings should be held on the proper ways of handling crowds, based on the police manual.
Aside from abiding by the rules on crowd dispersal, they can resort again to creative ways to pull people from the streets to the negotiating table and to stop any tendency towards violence.
(ninicab@sunstar.com.ph)